Disclaimer: This story contains settings, situations, and characters created and owned by JK Rowling. Plot and everything else you don't recognize is inarguably mine. No money is being made, therefore no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

A/N: My burst of writing genius (if you can call it that) ends here, folks! I still can't believe I was able to post 5 chappies in one sitting! Chapter 6 is on the way Don't forget to tell me what you think of the story so far--- aside from it being seriously twisted, because I already know that. ^_^ I made Binns' first name up, by the way, because it's not mentioned in the HP Books.

Enchantments: Chapter Five

McGonagall and Binns were already at the bottom of the steps when the fifth years got out of the museum. Wearing her usual black robes, the Transfigurations teacher stood out among the white-clad Egyptians, and Binns looked strangely out of place, which was forgivable since he was a wrinkled old ghost in the desert. Many passersby looked at him curiously, but did not gawk, because this was the wizarding world, and anything was possible.

"Minerva, Hamilton, there you are!" cried Cheops, grinning widely.

"Hamilton Binns?" Ron half-whispered, half-exclaimed. Harry and Hermione shrugged.

"It's good to see you, Cheops," said McGonagall politely, a small smile flickering on her face. "How was the tour?"

"Absolutely spiffing!" Cheops answered with enthusiasm. "Excellent! Not a single hitch! Well, ah, we did have a bit of trouble with the statues, but---" He waved a hand breezily, dismissing the whole incident--- "that's the by and by. Very well-behaved class you have here!"

Dean Thomas coughed, looking pointedly at the Slytherins.

Binns gazed at the students, then mumbled, "I think it is now time for the next phase of the trip."

"He seems awfully unexcited," Lavender Brown observed in a hushed voice. "I wonder if this experience means anything to him."

"Well, it probably doesn't," said Seamus. "Maybe for him this is just another lesson. I mean, face it, he's dead. Egypt might not be too big a deal for dead people."

Cheops and their teachers led them once again through the busy street. This time, Neville knocked over a display of rare glass sculptures and ended up paying for the lot.

"What a klutz," drawled Draco loud enough for the Gryffindors to hear. "Oh, well, at least he's got money. Right, Weasley?"

Harry quickly grabbed Ron by the arm, preventing the redhead from ripping Draco apart.

"I'm warning you, Malfoy," growled Ron, straining to free himself, "one more fucking word---"

"Mr. Weasley, watch your language!" said McGonagall sharply. "Five points from Gryffindor!"

The Slytherins exchanged evil grins. Ron looked furious.

"Where are we going next, Professors?" Hermione asked, pushing Parvati Patil aside to get closer to McGonagall and Binns.

"The Temple of Selket, in Karnak," answered Binns in his characteristic monotone. "Selket is the ancient Scorpion goddess, usually depicted as a woman with a scorpion atop her head or a human-headed scorpion."

"I've read all about her," said Hermione, her brown eyes shining. "She was believed to help guard the entrails of the deceased."

"Not was, Miss Granger," corrected Binns, "but rather, is. Many Egyptian wizards still practice the old ways although some would tell you it is more than just a belief."

"Are you saying, Professor, that Selket and the other ancient gods are real?"

"Others do," the ghost replied. "As for me, there has never been any real evidence of the existence of these supernatural beings, and I tend to stand by solid, verifiable fact"

Wishing she hadn't brought the subject up, Hermione prayed that Binns wouldn't launch into yet another boring speech about the shortcomings of myth as compared to history, but luckily she was saved by Cheops, who told the students to turn left. They did, and found out they had walked out of Shadrack and into a strip of empty desert land. Empty except for---

"Our transportation to Karnak!" said the tour guide gleefully, pointing to the beasts standing in a perfect straight line, munching on thorny grass.

Draco Malfoy was unable to contain his horror. "Camels?!!!"